Abstract: Sensor constructs for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample comprising a molecular scaffold, a pair of labels which interact via Förster resonance energy transfer, and at least one molecular recognition domain for binding the analyte. A changed optical signal is produced when the analyte is bound by the molecular recognition domain.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the induction of a protective immunize response in primates against a lethal challenge of Plasmodium.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for producing and screening combinatorial libraries of multimeric proteins. The present invention relies on the use of filamentous fungal heterokaryons that are produced using two or more parent strains into which a population of DNA molecules encoding variants of a multimeric protein have been introduced.

Abstract: Sensor constructs for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample comprise a molecular scaffold, a pair of labels which interact via Förster resonance energy transfer, and at least one molecular recognition domain. When the analyte is bound by the molecular recognition domain, the Förster resonance energy interaction between the pair of labels is disrupted, resulting in a changed optical signal.

Abstract: A method of treating wastewater using an anaerobic bioreactor which contains a “bio-nest” structure to retain the microbial content and improve digestion efficiency is disclosed. The bionest system results in a longer SRT, good sludge mixing, and reduced wash-out of sludge. The system is particularly useful for treatment of lipid rich wastewater such as dairy wastewater.

Abstract: A device for measuring radiation is disclosed. The device comprises optics and electronics at least partially enclosed in a housing portable by a single human being. In a preferred embodiment, the housing comprises a window to admit radiation of a desired wave length and houses optics and electronics to collect and convert admitted radiation into an electrical signal. A data processor may be disposed in the housing or exterior to the housing and may convert and store the electrical signal into an analyzed, e.g. digital, form. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A system and method for converting organic wastes to biodegradable thermoplastic materials including polyhydroxyalkanoates is disclosed, which method includes treating the organic wastes with an acidogenic microbial population to form fermentative organic acids, and polymerization of the organic acids by PHA-producing microbial species to form PHAs. The system includes a first compartment for acidogenesis of organic wastes without oxygen, and a second compartment, for polymer synthesis by enriched cultures of species with oxygen such as R. eutropha, P. oleovorans, or mixtures thereof. The compartments are integrated with barriers that permit mass transfer of organic acids while maintaining different culture conditions in the compartments.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated archael and bacterial heme binding protein which reversibly binds oxygen with a low affinity. The heme binding protein may be utilized as a blood substitute. The invention also provides a method for controlled storage of oxygen by contacting a bacterial heme binding protein with oxygen allowing the protein to bind and store oxygen. The also provides methods to sense gaseous ligands using the heme binding protein. In other embodiments, the invention provides chimeric proteins having a heme-binding domain of an isolated heme binding archael bacterial protein and a heterologous signaling domain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device for production of a gas from a material comprising the gas using light as the sole power source. In an embodiment, the semiconductor comprises a substrate; a solid-state semiconductor layer disposed on the substrate; a photoactive semiconductor top layer further comprising a photoelectrochemical electrode junction; and an interface layer disposed between the solid-state semiconductor layer and the photoactive semiconductor top layer. A surface of the photoactive semiconductor top layer is exposed to both a source of light such as the sun and to the material, e.g. a liquid electrolyte. The gas is liberated from the material, e.g. hydrogen liberated from a liquid electrolyte. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of nucleic acid molecule delivery into a fertilized egg. This method involves providing a fertilized egg prior to its formation of a protective layer, providing a nucleic acid molecule, and combining the nucleic acid molecule and the fertilized egg under conditions effective to allow the nucleic acid molecule to be delivered into the egg.

Abstract: An Rf device (100) that comprises unique MEMS RF transmission and circuit components (104–106) that are integrated together on a semiconductor chip (101) to form the RF device (100). These MEMS components (104–106) are monolithically formed on the chip (101) and are also reconfigurable on the chip (101).

Abstract: An improved continuous transverse stub (CTS) antenna has coplanar waveguide (CPW) feed elements spaced apart aligned in parallel and mounted perpendicular to a planar substrate base made of a low dielectric material. A continuous transverse stub extends perpendicularly through a clearance gap in the CPW feed elements on the ground plane of the substrate base. The antenna is fed with a simple coplanar waveguide transmission line formed by the parallel CPW elements. The antenna employs the coplanar waveguide with CTS technology, preferably in a planar microstrip configuration, to produce a broadside radiation pattern with a maximum in the +z direction, perpendicular to the plane of the antenna. The CPW-CTS antenna offers the advantages of a broadside radiation pattern, low input impedance, high radiation efficiency, low fabrication cost, use of simple coaxial or microstrip transmission line feed, and simple integration with microstrip circuitry in a transceiver front-end.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of recombinant Plasmodium falciparum polypeptides and relates to recombinant or synthetic antigen compositions which comprise p42 antigens, and more specifically to methods and compositions for the expression of Plasmodium falciparum polypeptides in transgenic plants.

Abstract: A high-directivity transponder system uses a dual system of a retrodirective array transmitting a data signal peak toward an interrogator source, and a self-null-steering array transmitting a null toward the interrogator source and a jamming signal elsewhere, resulting in high S/N reception at the interrogator source and avoidance of interception. Integrating modulators would allow each array to transmit different data while the spectra of the transmitted signals are identical, thus disabling interception. The system enables secure point-to-point communications and can be used for short-distance wireless data transmission systems such as wireless LAN and RFID servers. As another aspect, self-steering signal transmission is employed for randomly oriented satellites using circularly polarized, two-dimensional retrodirective arrays. Quadruple subharmonic mixing is used as an effective means of achieving phase conjugation when a high-frequency LO is not feasible or inapplicable.

Abstract: Various modifications to conventional information coding schemes that result in an improvement in one or more performance measures for a given coding scheme. Some examples are directed to improved decoding techniques for linear block codes, such as low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes. In one example, modifications to a conventional belief-propagation (BP) decoding algorithm for LDPC codes significantly improve the performance of the decoding algorithm so as to more closely approximate that of the theoretically optimal maximum-likelihood (ML) decoding scheme. BP decoder performance generally is improved for lower code block lengths, and significant error floor reduction or elimination may be achieved for higher code block lengths. In one aspect, significantly improved performance of a modified BP algorithm is achieved while at the same time essentially maintaining the benefits of relative computational simplicity and execution speed of a conventional BP algorithm as compared to an ML decoding scheme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant bacteria genetically engineered from insect hosts to express toxic gene products in a pest insect. The present invention also relates to a method of controlling an insect population using such a recombinant bacteria as a delivery agent throughout an insect colony. The invention also relates to a method of delivering and expressing a gene in an insect.

Abstract: Provided are Physalia fluorescent proteins (PFPs) and, more particularly, to PFPs of a Physalia species, and methods of detecting and isolating PFPs. Also provided are methods and compositions for using PFPs, including recombinant PFPs, as reporter molecules in in vitro and in vivo biological assays, including screening assays and cellular assays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device for production of a gas from a material comprising the gas using light as the sole power source. In an embodiment, the semiconductor comprises a substrate; a solid-state semiconductor layer disposed on the substrate; a photoactive semiconductor top layer further comprising a photoelectrochemical electrode junction; and an interface layer disposed between the solid-state semiconductor layer and the photoactive semiconductor top layer. A surface of the photoactive semiconductor top layer is exposed to both a source of light such as the sun and to the material, e.g. a liquid electrolyte. The gas is liberated from the material, e.g. hydrogen liberated from a liquid electrolyte. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there have been identified extracts from a tropical plant that initiate paclitaxel-like microtubule bundling. Bioassay-directed purification yields the steroid taccalonolide A. Taccalonolide, like paclitaxel, initiates the formation of abnormal interphaes and mitotic microtubules. Cells treated with taccalonolide exhibit thick bundles of microtubules that appear to nucleate independent of the microtubule organizing center. Abnormal mitotic spindles consisting of multi-polar spindles are initiated by taccalonolide and resemble abnormal mitotic spindles found in the presence of paclitaxel. Like paclitaxel, taccalonolide causes the breakdown of the nucleus into micronuclei. Taccalonolide causes G2/M arrest, Bc1-2 phosphorylation and initiates an apoptotic cascade that includes the activation of caspase 3. Taccalonolide is an effective inhibitor of proliferation against both SK-OV-3 and MDA-MB-435 cell with IC50 values of 2.3 ?M and 2.1 ?M respectively.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the induction of a protective immunize response in primates against lethal challenge of Plasmodium.